The morning was beautiful - hazy-bright, no snow, and best of all -- no fog! I woke early and drove down to South Unit to meet up with the Badlands' Stronghold Unit Enforcement Ranger, Vincent Littlewhiteman. We had a wonderful, relaxed morning; he took me with him on patrol, along the south and west boundary roads, and up to Red Shirt. On the way back we detoured off the road, onto a mud track that led off through meadows thick with mulleins -- some taller than the truck! He drove out until we reached spots where we could really peer over the rim, down (and down! and out to the horizon) into the heart of the Stronghold Unit. We were at a high rim, near a sacred spot previously used for Sun Dances. An amazing spot. I immediately had the desire to spend a night there, smelling pines along the ridge, listening to coyotes, sleeping under stars. I am sure I will return --- on a dry, dry day in a dry month! Vincent's truck leaped and bounced through the rutty mud, no problem, but he's been driving in fields of gumbo for years. I have the feeling I'd get my truck STUCK. These badlands, previously (ab)used by the Air Force as a Bombing Range, are so vast they make some parts of the North Unit feel puny and groomed by comparison, but there is no scenic route or loop road twisting through the heart of the South Unit, no picnic area, no scenic overlooks with pit toilets. There is a small but excellent little Visitor Center at White River -- closed for the season, but he gave me a quick tour -- with an interpretive emphasis on Native history and culture. Actually, there is one scenic overlook near Red Shirt --- we stopped there. No sign, no bench or walkway, just a pull-out with a gorgeous view and trash strewn in the ditch (there's no garbage can). The NPS, and Pine Ridge Reservation, clearly could do so much more to make the South Unit more inviting to visitors. I haven't asked for the statistics, but I bet most visitors do not visit the South Unit at all. There are a few signs saying "Entering Badlands" and "Leaving Badlands" but no gates or fee collection booths in the South Unit. Vincent, who was born at Pine Ridge, shared anecdotes, frustrations, and wonderful insights from his experience as an enforcement ranger. A great morning!
Tags: Badlands Badlands National Park Artist in Residence South Unit Stronghold Unit Pine Ridge Reservation day15 A Book Made of Soil
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I've been watching a magpie rebuild this nest --- the top branch of the tree snapped in a winter storm and fell, crushing the nest, but she's using it as a roof-beam now....
Tags: Badlands Badlands National Park Cedar Pass March cloudy magpie nest landscape Artist in Residence day14 A Book Made of Soil
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I prefer the scenery behind the dish, myself.
Tags: Badlands Badlands National Park Cedar Pass March cloudy satellite dish technology landscape Artist in Residence day14 A Book Made of Soil
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Waiting for leaves.
A perfect day for catching up on my piles of reading materials, typing up drafts, and making more notes.
Tags: Badlands Badlands National Park Cedar Pass March cloudy budding landscape Artist in Residence day14 A Book Made of Soil
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A perfect day for catching up on my piles of reading materials, typing up drafts, and making more notes.
Tags: Badlands Badlands National Park Cedar Pass March cloudy landscape Artist in Residence day14 A Book Made of Soil
© All Rights Reserved